Government Backs Local Government Reorganisation for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex

Decision to proceed with merger plans for Brighton & Hove, East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe expected before Christmas.

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Generic image of the white cliffs of Dover and the Seven Sisters coastline under an overcast sky.

The government has announced it is minded to proceed with local government reorganisation (LGR) for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex, with plans to be set out for further representations.

The government has today announced that they are minded to proceed with local government reorganisation (LGR) for Brighton & Hove and East Sussex. Plans for how the proposals will move forward will be set out, with a 21-day period for local authorities to make further representations. An update on the decision is expected before Christmas.
Councillor Bella Sankey, Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council, welcomed the government's confirmation. "We welcome that government has confirmed it is minded to proceed with the decision it made earlier this year for Brighton & Hove to merge with East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe," she stated. "Bringing our communities together reflects how people live and it will give residents living to the East of our current boundary greater say over the services they already use."
Councillor Sankey also welcomed the government’s "cast-iron commitment to preserving our city status," adding, "Brighton & Hove is a globally recognised city with a proud history and an exciting future."
She continued, "We want to make sure that this change is delivered as smoothly as possible. So we will now be writing to government to make the case that Brighton & Hove City Council should be considered a continuing local authority rather than setting up a brand new council with the additional complexity that would come with that. We hope to work constructively with partners in East Sussex to deliver these changes for the benefit of all."
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"We welcome that government has confirmed it is minded to proceed with the decision it made earlier this year for Brighton & Hove to merge with East Saltdean, Peacehaven and Telscombe. Bringing our communities together reflects how people live and it will give residents living to the East of our current boundary greater say over the services they already use."

Bella Sankey · Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council
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"We further welcome government’s cast-iron commitment to preserving our city status. Brighton & Hove is a globally recognised city with a proud history and an exciting future."

Bella Sankey · Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council
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"We want to make sure that this change is delivered as smoothly as possible. So we will now be writing to government to make the case that Brighton & Hove City Council should be considered a continuing local authority rather than setting up a brand new council with the additional complexity that would come with that. We hope to work constructively with partners in East Sussex to deliver these changes for the benefit of all."

Bella Sankey · Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council
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Based on information from the official source: Brighton and Hove City Council (29/10/2026)